Accio Evans

Chapter 13: Duel

Recap: Severus Snape is called to professor Dumbledore's office to explain his actions to the Headmaster, he denies everything. The Headmaster doesn't believe him and doles out punishments. As Severus leaves, Albus pleads that if he ever needs help, to come to him, Snape disregards this and stalks off towards the Slytherin common room.

The seventh year Gryffindor's all gather in the common room to come together at the testing time, Sirius is unsure why on earth Severus would hex James when they hadn't even spoken, Remus wonders if it is because Snape is jealous of James. Lily returns to the common room and is out to bed by Hestia, who later shares a small moment with Sirius.

Lily heads down to Hospital Wing the next morning, she and James kiss, only to be interrupted by Sirius. Lily teasingly asks James to go out with her and they make it official.

Astonishment and confusion etched across the faces of virtually every student and teacher sitting in the Great Hall. In some places money changed hands – although James and Lily didn't notice, even up at the Teachers table Professor Bensheath grudgingly handed a couple of golden coins into the smirking hand of Professor McGonagall. Lily was shocked to find the Great Hall far more full than could usually be expected for such an early hour on a Saturday morning; for a few seconds, nobody had noticed James and Lily hand in hand, but before they'd even had chance to take more than a few steps, the whole hall had turned to stare silently at the two Head Students. Silence fell upon the student body, Lily felt violently sick, for the second time that week she had, had everyone staring at her; it was more than slightly unnerving. The silence however, lasted only a moment before all five tables seated in the hall burst into applause, virtually the whole of the Gryffindor table on their feet. Even the poor, old teachers were stood, James couldn't be sure but he was sure that he saw McGonagall wipe a tear from her eye in between claps.

"A bit much, don't you think?" James joked in Lily's ear, his fingers giving hers a slight squeeze. Lily giggled by way of agreement. Attempting to make their way to their usual seats at the Gryffindor table, Lily lost count of the amount of times congratulations or it's about time! was yelled their direction.

Flopping down in her seat next to James, Lily felt an enormous grin spread across her face. Jessica and Alice were staring open mouthed at her, gawping.

"Jess, shut your mouth, I can see the remiments of that toast you just ate!" Hestia complained, pushing a strand of her curly hair behind her ear. "And you!" she said directly at Lily. "When were you going to tell me about you two?!"

"It literally just happened!" James defended, "in the hospital wing of all places!" giving Lily's waist a gentle squeeze, he softly kissed her cheek, still not quite believing after all this time she was actually his! A faint blush crept into Lily's cheeks, her mouth tugging into a grin, a grin that she knew James was also wearing. She vaguely aware of eyes from all four tables staring at the pair of them, but she was too elated to notice as she leant further into James and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, to which he blushed ever so slightly. Jessica rolled her eyes and mimed being sick, Alice tutted – Lily wasn't sure who it was aimed at, but she giggled lightly anyway – no matter how much her friends would probably tease her, she knew they were happy for her really.

"Eww – please keep that away from the breakfast table, I can't be dealing with that this early in the morning! And shouldn't you be in the Hospital Wing anyway James?" Hestia exclaimed, suddenly for the first time truly noticing James' presence. James dismissed her concern.

Breakfast was ultimately the strangest meals Lily had, she wasn't sure whether it was the inquisitive and frankly judgemental stares from other tables or the constant questioning from all those around them – then again it had to be strange, at the end of fifth year (and slightly before) Lily and James had been at each other's throat on a regular basis, now at the beginning of their seventh year they were dating, even Lily had to admit, the thought was comical.